It’s not just about money

Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV)

 Unselfishness isn’t just about giving money. Sometimes it’s easier to give money than to give of ourselves. To give our time, attention, sympathy, understanding, and prayers to someone else, we have to be the “real deal.” We have to reach out, to understand, to feel compassion, and to do something about it. Often it’s those sacrifices of time that really count—such as when we give up our day off to participate in a local charity’s work or to visit someone who is sick.
It’s not just about money. It’s about what we give from our hearts, out of love. There’s a great story about a missionary who was teaching in Africa. Before Christmas he had been telling his native students how Christians, as an expression of their joy, gave each other presents on Christ’s birthday.
 On Christmas morning one of the natives brought the missionary a seashell of lustrous beauty. When asked where he had discovered such an extraordinary shell, the native said he had walked many miles to a bay, the only spot where such shells could be found.
 “I think it was wonderful of you to travel so far to get this lovely gift for me,” the teacher exclaimed.
 His eyes brightening, the native answered, “Long walk, part of gift.”
 We each have many opportunities to help others. Let’s look for ways to give to those around us. Let’s make it a habit. —Peter Amsterdam [1]

 The best thing to do with the best things in life is to give them away. - Dorothy Day

[1] Activated The Unselfish Life